A stolen boy

19 October 1867

Last week a tribe of Indians came here from the Missouri River. Among them was a 14 or 15 year old boy who must have had white parents, for by all appearances he didn't have a drop if Indian blood in his veins. He has blue eyes and freckles, is big for his age and speaks fluent English. Mr. William Wicker from Bangor in this county had a boy stolen from above Black River Falls about ten years ago and believes that it might be his son. He should have a brown birthmark on the calf of his left (or right?) leg, which would make him easy to recognize. The Indian tribe left for Tomah in Monroe County or to somewhere else and Mr. Wicker wishes that whoever comes across the boy examine him. The officials should take the matter on.

26 Oct 1867

The white boy who was going around with an Indian tribe and whom we suspected might be the lost son of Mr. Wicker from Bangor returned and was examined in the presence of Mr. Wicker. The boy has very many similarities with his son but seems to be somewhat older than the lost boy could be and the father therefore couldn't decide to take the boy back as his son.

Indians

25 Jan 1868

Several German citizens from the town Washington complained to us that they're quite encumbered by the number of Indians who are hanging around. The Indians beg together for their food and, owing to circumstances sometimes, take things by force. It isn't advisable to leave women home alone. The Indians also kill everything wild and naturally donŐt bother with the laws.

The remedy for this plague of red children consists of simply driving them away. They have no right to be around here for the government assigned them land to stay in. If some citizens get together and explain to them that should leave or that they will be expelled by force, then they would leave. If necessary, the county officials should help to these ends.

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